U.S. patent application number 12/830718 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-03 for portable light system having a sealed switch.
Invention is credited to Brian Preaux.
Application Number | 20110025437 12/830718 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38337051 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110025437 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Preaux; Brian |
February 3, 2011 |
Portable Light System Having a Sealed Switch
Abstract
An improved switch interface is provided that does not rely on
direct contact by the user interface element to the switch
apparatus. This feature enables the switch to be enclosed within a
housing, thereby improving reliability and longevity of the switch
mechanism.
Inventors: |
Preaux; Brian; (Alexandria,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICE OF DUANE S. KOBAYASHI
P.O. Box 4160
Leesburg
VA
20177
US
|
Family ID: |
38337051 |
Appl. No.: |
12/830718 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11835863 |
Aug 8, 2007 |
7755461 |
|
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12830718 |
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|
10829425 |
Apr 22, 2004 |
7256671 |
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11835863 |
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|
60464734 |
Apr 24, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
335/207 ;
335/205 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H 2003/506 20130101;
H01H 9/547 20130101; F21Y 2115/10 20160801; F21V 23/0414 20130101;
F21L 14/023 20130101; F21V 31/005 20130101; H01H 36/0006 20130101;
F21V 21/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
335/207 ;
335/205 |
International
Class: |
H01H 3/54 20060101
H01H003/54 |
Claims
1. A switching system, comprising: a housing containing a powered
device, wherein a portion of said housing is cylindrical in shape,
said housing including an activation element; a switch interface
ring element, which includes a positioning element, that is
designed to rotate radially around said cylindrical portion of said
housing in a substantially fixed position along an axis of said
rotation; and a magnet movable by said switch interface ring
element, said magnet activating said activation element within said
housing when said switch interface ring element is rotated radially
around said housing to a position determined by said positioning
element such that said magnet is brought in proximity to said
activation element, said activation element being used to control
said powered device.
2. The switching system of claim 1, wherein said powered device is
an electronic device.
3. The switching system of claim 1, wherein said powered device is
a light.
4. The switching system of claim 1, wherein said activation element
is a magnetic switch element.
5. The switching system of claim 1, wherein said switch interface
ring element has a plurality of magnets fixed thereon.
6. The switching system of claim 1, wherein said positioning
element is fixed on a surface of said switch interface ring
element.
7. The switching system of claim 1, wherein said positioning
element is fixed inside said switch interface ring element.
8. A control system, comprising: a control interface ring element
designed to rotate radially around a cylindrical portion of a
housing in a substantially fixed position along an axis of said
rotation; and a positioning element supported by said control
interface ring element, said positioning element identifying a
position of said control interface ring element relative to said
housing such that a magnet supported by said control interface ring
element is brought into proximity to an activation element
contained within said housing when said control interface ring
element is brought into said position, said magnet activating said
activation element when said magnet is brought into proximity to
said activation element.
9. The control system of claim 8, wherein said activation element
controls a function of an electronic device.
10. The control system of claim 9, wherein said electronic device
includes a light.
11. The control system of claim 8, wherein said activation element
is a magnetic switch element.
12. The control system of claim 8, wherein said control interface
ring element has a plurality of magnets fixed thereon.
13. The control system of claim 8, wherein said positioning element
is fixed on a surface of said control interface ring element.
14. The control system of claim 8, wherein said positioning element
is fixed inside said control interface ring element.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of non-provisional patent
application Ser. No. 11/835,863, filed Aug. 8, 2007, which is a
continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,256,671, issued Aug. 14, 2007. This
application also claims priority to provisional application No.
60/464,734, filed Apr. 24, 2003. The above-identified applications
are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to switches and,
more particularly, to a light having a sealed switch interface.
[0004] 2. Introduction
[0005] Current light switch designs for flashlights include toggle,
rotary, slide or push button switches. In each of these designs,
the manufacturer often tries to seal the switch from exposure to
the elements. This exposure to the elements leads to corrosion of
the contacts, which in turn leads to switch failure. To accomplish
the task of sealing the switch, the manufacturer houses the switch
inside of the light housing with the user interface protruding
through the housing. For toggle and push button switches, a
membrane is used to protect the switch. For switches that include a
protruding knob or bezel, an o-ring is used to provide a seal. The
slide switch provides no protection at all. The shortcomings of
these designs include tearing of the membrane or abrasion of the
o-ring, which results in a non-waterproof environment for the
switch. Other shortcomings to these switch designs include small
user interfaces, exclusive use of either right or left hand
operation and switch stops that are easily damaged, corroded or
clogged.
SUMMARY
[0006] A portable light system having a sealed switch,
substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at
least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited
and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained,
a more particular description of the invention briefly described
above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof
which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that
these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and
are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the
invention will be described and explained with additional
specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a portable light;
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a
portable light;
[0010] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the example operation of a switch
activation element with switches contained in a housing;
[0011] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an example embodiment of a user
interface element;
[0012] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrates an example embodiment of a
housing;
[0013] FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7 illustrate alternative embodiments of a
positioning mechanism;
[0014] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an embodiment of a light
controlling circuit; and
[0015] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate alternative uses of the switching
mechanism of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Various embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail
below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be
understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A
person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other
components and configurations may be used without parting from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
[0017] As noted, conventional light switch designs are deficient in
their inability to shield the light switch from exposure to the
elements. In accordance with the present invention, a light switch
mechanism is provided that contains the light switch in a sealed
housing, thereby ensuring that exposure of the housing to the
elements will not affect the operation of the light switch itself.
Control of the switch is effected through a switching interface
element that remains external to the sealed housing during
manipulation by the user. Puncturing of the sealed housing is
therefore prevented.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a portable sealed light
that includes a light switch mechanism according to the present
invention. As illustrated, portable sealed light 100 includes
housing 102, switching ring 104, lens 108 and lens cap 106. In one
embodiment, housing 102 contains a light emitting diode (LED) array
and a spot bulb.
[0019] Switching ring 104 is generally operative to control
switching elements that reside in housing 102 without requiring a
direct connection between a switch activating element in switching
ring 104 and a switch element in the interior of housing 102. In
accordance with this feature of the present invention, housing 102
can then be environmentally sealed, thereby shielding the switching
elements within housing 102 from corrosive and otherwise
destructive effects in the environment of use.
[0020] As will be described in greater detail below, in one
embodiment, the switching elements contained within housing 102 are
magnetic switches that are activated by a magnet that is fixed in
switching ring 104. In this arrangement, movement of switching ring
104 into a position that brings the magnet within sufficient
proximity of a magnetic switch serves to activate that magnetic
switch. An operational mode of portable sealed light 100 can
therefore be changed based on the activation of that switch. As
would be appreciated, a plurality of switches can be included
within housing 102 to thereby initiate a change to a plurality of
operational modes.
[0021] Housing 102 can be sealed in a variety of ways. In one
embodiment, lens 108 is affixed to housing 102 using an
adhesive/sealant. Lens cap 106 would provide further support in
assuring that lens 108 remains affixed to housing 102. In another
embodiment, the seal for housing 102 includes an o-ring that is
compressed between housing 102 and the lens cap assembly. In
general, since lens cap 106 is not part of the switching mechanism
it is not rotated repeatedly. This would ensure that an o-ring
would not receive excess wear and tear, which in turn maintains a
waterproof housing.
[0022] User control of portable sealed light 100 is enabled through
switching ring 104 that fits over a cylindrical portion of circular
housing 102. As noted, in one embodiment, switching ring 104
incorporates a magnet that is use to activate magnetic switches
within housing 102. This non-invasive switching mechanism ensures
that housing 102 remains environmentally sealed. Significantly, the
switching ring of the embodiment of FIG. 1 can be designed to be
large enough to operate with impaired hands (e.g., gloved, muddy or
injured). Also, a circular switching ring configuration makes it
easy to operate the user interface with either hand.
[0023] As further illustrated in FIG. 1, portable sealed light 100
includes mounting bracket 112 for affixing portable sealed light
110 to a headband, helmet, bicycle, etc. and power cord 110 that is
used to power electronics contained within housing 102. An
embodiment of a electronic circuit that can be used to control the
various operational modes using switching ring 104 is described in
greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.
[0024] To further describe the structure of portable sealed light
100, reference is now made to FIG. 2, which illustrates an exploded
view of portable sealed light 100. As illustrated, power cord 110
is coupled to housing 102 through cable grip 212 and cable grip nut
214. Housing 102 also includes cylindrical portion 220 upon which
switching ring 104 rests. Contained within housing 102 is circuit
board assembly 230.
[0025] In one embodiment, circuit board assembly 210 is comprised
of circular PC board 232, circular PC board 234, and PC boards 236
and 238. In addition to the inclusion of electronics and other
conductors to couple circular PC board 232 to circular PC board
234, PC boards 236 and 238 also provide a support function in
maintaining the structural integrity of circuit board assembly
210.
[0026] In one embodiment, circular PC board 232 includes magnetic
switches that are positioned near the perimeter of circular PC
board 232. These magnetic switches are selectively activated when
activation magnet 240 is moved radially around circular PC board
232 through the movement of switching ring 104. When activation
magnet 240 is brought into a close enough proximity to a magnetic
switch that switch is then closed. Circular PC board 234, on the
other hand, includes sockets and other electronic connections that
enable powering and support for LEDs 252, parabolic reflector 254
and spot bulb 256.
[0027] As would be appreciated, the particular design of circuit
board assembly 210 would be dependent on the shape (e.g.,
cylindrical, rectangular, etc.) and overall size of housing 102.
Thus, the specific location and orientation of system components in
circuit board assembly 210 would be implementation dependent. In
general, it is envisioned that the switch elements in circuit board
assembly 210 are located in positions that would enable discrete
activation through the movement of a switch activation element in a
user interface element that is configured to move relative to a
surface of housing 102. The features of the present invention are
therefore not dependent on the specific shape of housing 102 or the
user interface element that is designed to cooperate with housing
102.
[0028] Finally, as further illustrated in FIG. 2, circuit board
assembly 210 is secured in housing 102 using washer 260 and lens
cap assembly 106. As noted, it is a feature of the present
invention that housing 102 can be environmentally sealed. Thus, the
particular method by which circuit board assembly 210 is enclosed
in housing 102 using lens cap assembly 106 would be implementation
dependent.
[0029] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the example operation of a switch
activation element with switches contained in a housing. As
illustrated, housing 302 contains load circuits 342 and 344 that
are selectively driven upon activation of magnetic switches 332 and
334, respectively. Activation of magnetic switches 332 and 334 is
based on the relative position of activation magnet 310 that is
fixed in switching ring 304. In one embodiment, magnetic reed
switches 332 and 334 are positioned near the perimeter of a
circular PC board, thereby enabling discrete activation upon the
movement of a switch activation element in switching ring 304.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 3A, switching ring 304 has been
rotated in such a manner that activation magnet 310 is positioned
at a point near magnetic reed switch 332. In the illustrated
embodiment, this positioning is assisted through the use of
positioning magnet 322, which serves to temporarily fix the
position of switching ring 304 relative to housing 302. In this
embodiment, positioning magnet 322 would not be sufficient on its
own to activate magnetic reed switch 332. Rather, only the strength
of the magnetic field produced by activation magnet 310 when
brought into proximity of positioning magnet 322, and hence
magnetic switch 332, would be sufficient to activate magnetic
switch 332. In the illustrated position of FIG. 3A, activation
magnet 310 would be able to activate magnetic reed switch 322 and
not magnetic switch 324.
[0031] FIG. 3B illustrates the effect of moving switching ring 304
to a new position such that activation magnet 310 is brought into
proximity with positioning magnet 324, and hence magnetic reed
switch 334. Again, it should be noted that positioning magnet 324
would not be sufficient on its own to activate magnetic switch 334.
When activation magnet 310 is brought into proximity to positioning
magnet 324, however, magnetic switch 332 would be deactivated while
magnetic switch 334 would be activated. The end effect of this
change in positioning of switching ring 304 is the driving of load
circuit 344 instead of load circuit 342. A different operational
mode would therefore result.
[0032] In the embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B, activation magnet 310
was used as part of the mechanism that positioned switching ring
304 relative to housing 302. In an alternative embodiment, the
mechanism for positioning switching ring 304 relative to housing
302 can be independent of activation magnet 310. To illustrate an
example of this alternative embodiment, reference is made to FIGS.
4A and 4B, which illustrate a bottom and a side view, respectively,
of an embodiment of a switching ring, and to FIGS. 5A and 5B, which
illustrate a top view and a side view of an embodiment of a
housing.
[0033] As illustrated in the bottom view of FIG. 4A, switching ring
400 includes activation magnet 410 and separate positioning magnets
420. Activation magnet 410 is positioned in a particular cross
section of switching ring 400 that would coincide with a plane of
circular PC board 232. This would enable activation magnet 410 to
be brought into close proximity to the various magnetic switches
that are located around the perimeter of circular PC board 232. In
this embodiment, the particular position of switching ring 400 at
which activation magnet 410 would be positioned near a particular
magnetic switch would be determined by the positioning of one of
positioning magnets 420 in proximity to a counterpart positioning
magnet located on the housing.
[0034] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a counterpart housing 500 that is
designed to cooperate with switching ring 400. When assembled, the
bottom of switching ring 400, illustrated in FIG. 4A, would rest
against end member 510 of housing 500. Incorporated within end
member 510 of housing 500 is positioning magnet 512. As switching
ring 400 is rotated around the cylindrical portion of housing 500,
positioning magnets 420 on switching ring 400 can be selectively
engaged with positioning magnet 512 on housing 500. This sequential
engagement of positioning magnets 420 on switching ring 400 with
positioning magnet 512 would therefore enable the user to control
the position of activation magnet 410 relative to the magnetic
switches contained in housing 500.
[0035] As further illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 4A, 4B,
switching ring 400 also includes radial support guide 430. In
general, radial support guide 430 is designed to receive guide
member 520 of housing 500 to thereby define a restricted range of
movement of switching ring 400 relative to housing 500. This
restricted range of movement would encompass the range of movement
needed to enable each of positioning magnets 420 on switching ring
400 to be engaged with positioning magnet 512 on housing 500.
[0036] In one embodiment, positioning magnets 420 and 512 and
activation magnet 410 can be encased in switching ring 400 and
housing 500 to prevent the magnets from being damaged, corroded or
clogged.
[0037] As thus described, the positioning mechanism can be
independent of the activation element. In the example of FIGS. 4A,
4B, 5A, and 5B, this positioning mechanism relied on multiple
positioning magnets on switching ring 400 and a single positioning
magnet on housing 500. In an alternative embodiment, the
positioning mechanism can be based on multiple positioning magnets
on the housing and a single positioning magnet on the user
interface element.
[0038] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an example of this embodiment. As
illustrated, housing 610 includes positioning magnets 614 that are
fixed in end member 612. Positioning magnets 614 are radially
distributed around the portion of end member 612 that is adjacent
to the end surface of switching ring 620 when switching ring 620
becomes engaged with housing 610. As illustrated in FIG. 6A,
positioning magnet 622 is located on the bottom end of switching
ring 620 and is designed to move radially around the cylindrical
portion of housing 610. As further illustrated in FIG. 6A,
switching ring also includes activation magnet 624.
[0039] In an alternative embodiment, the positioning magnets on
housing 610 can also be moved from the end member 612 of housing
610 to the cylindrical portion of housing 610 around which
switching ring 620 rotates. FIG. 7 illustrates an example of this
embodiment. As illustrated, housing 710 includes positioning
magnets 712 that are located in cross-sectional plane 720.
Positional magnets 712 are designed to engage positional magnet 722
that is located in a corresponding cross-sectional plane 740 of
switching ring 720. As illustrated, switching ring 720 also
includes activation magnet 724 that is located in cross-sectional
plane 740 of switching ring 720. As would be appreciated,
positioning magnet 722 can also be located in the same
cross-sectional plane as activation magnet 724. This embodiment
could be supported by a radial support guide such as that
illustrated in FIG. 4A to thereby ensure that positional magnets
722 does not interact with magnetic switches contained within
housing 710.
[0040] While the various embodiments discussed above provide a
particular method using magnets to effect positioning of a user
interface element relative to the housing, this is not meant to be
limiting. As would be appreciated, any mechanism can be used that
would enable a user interface element to maintain a sufficiently
stable position relative to the housing to thereby enable a
non-invasive switch activation mechanism. For example, in an
alternative embodiment, a ball and dedent system can be used in
place of the positional magnets.
[0041] Regardless of the particular positioning mechanism used, a
number of predefined positions of the switch activation element
relative to the housing can be defined. These predefined positions
would correspond to the switch activation element coming into
proximity with the various switches contained in the housing. The
positions of the switches within the housing also need to be fixed.
This can be accomplished through the insertion of the circuit board
assembly into the housing in a fixed orientation. In one
embodiment, an alignment pin provides a guide by which the circuit
board assembly can be inserted into the housing in the proper
orientation to thereby ensure that the switches on the circuit
board assembly are positioned to interact with the activation
element when the user interface element is in one of the positions
defined by the positioning mechanism.
[0042] An embodiment of a light controlling circuit within the
housing is now described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. As
illustrated in FIG. 8A, the power for the circuit is supplied from
DC source. The power is controlled to the circuit through a series
of switches labeled S1 thru S5. In one embodiment, switches S1-S5
are magnetic reed switches. As will be described in greater detail
below multiple switches can be used to control a single load, and
multiple switches can be used to control multiple loads.
[0043] When the magnet housed in the switching ring is positioned
at the first stop, switches S1 and S4 are activated. S1 supplies
power to the base of transistor Q1 which turns the transistor on.
With transistor Q1 turned on, the electricity flows through
transistor Q1 to inductor L1 and the DC-DC controller IC 1.
Capacitor C1 provides input filtering of the supply power.
Capacitor C2 provides additional filtering of the input power that
is used to supply IC 1. IC 1 turns transistor Q2 on and off at a
particular frequency. In one embodiment, the maximum switching
frequency of transistor Q2 is 300 KHz. When Q2 is turned on energy
flows from the supply into inductor L1 where the energy is stored.
During this time V.sub.L1=V.sub.IN. The load, isolated by schottkey
diode D1, is supplied by the charge stored in capacitor C4. When Q2
is turned off, the energy stored in inductor L1 is added to the
input voltage and I.sub.L helps supply the load current and
restores the energy discharged from capacitor C4. Capacitor C4
supplies current to the load after inductor L1 discharges. When
transistor Q2 turns off V.sub.L1=V.sub.O-V.sub.IN. The operating
frequency of transistor Q2 is controlled by a feedback loop that
samples the output voltage. With switch S4 closed, the output
voltage is sampled through a potentiometer P1. Potentiometer P1
acts as a voltage divider. By adjusting potentiometer P1, the
output voltage can be adjusted from input voltage to
V.sub.out=V.sub.ref*(P1.sub.R2/P1.sub.R1+1), where P1.sub.R1 and
P1.sub.R2 equal the resistance of P1 and V.sub.ref equals 1.5V.
Capacitor C3 is used to supply IC 1 with a reference voltage.
[0044] The current sense resistor R1 sets the maximum output
current,
R 1 = 0.00126 V * V in V out * I out ##EQU00001##
where R1 is equal to the current sense resistor, V.sub.in is equal
to the input voltage, V.sub.out is equal to the output voltage and
I.sub.out is equal to the maximum output current.
[0045] When the magnet is moved to switch position two, switch S2
is closed while switches S1, S3, S4 and S5 are left open. The
circuit operates the same as above, except the feedback circuit is
disabled. With the feedback circuit disabled, IC 1 operates at the
maximum frequency (e.g., 300 Khz). The output voltage is given
by:
V out = Eff * V in * I in I out ##EQU00002##
where V.sub.out equals the output voltage, Eff equals the
efficiency of the circuit, V.sub.in equals the input voltage,
I.sub.in equals the input current, and I.sub.out equals the output
current. The load on this circuit cannot exceed the efficiency of
the circuit times the power input.
[0046] When the magnet is moved to position three, switch S5 is
closed while switches S1, S2, S3 and S4 are open. Switch S5
supplies voltage to the gate of transistor Q3 from a voltage tap
that is between LED 14 and LED 15. With transistor Q3 turned on
power is supplied to the DC-DC controller IC 2 and inductor L2.
Capacitor C1 provides input filtering of the supply power.
Capacitor C5 provides additional filtering of the input power that
is used to supply IC 2. IC 2 turns transistor Q4 on and off at a
particular frequency. In one embodiment, the maximum switching
frequency is 300 KHz. When transistor Q4 is turned on energy flows
from the supply into inductor L2 where the energy is stored. During
this time V.sub.L2=V.sub.IN. The load, isolated by schottkey diodes
D3, D4 and D5, is supplied by the charge stored in capacitor C7.
Schottkey diodes D3, D4 and D5 are used instead of a single high
current diode due to the voltage drop associated with a single
diode. When transistor Q4 is turned off, the energy stored in
inductor L2 is added to the input voltage and I.sub.L2 helps supply
the load current and restores the energy discharged from capacitor
C7. Capacitor C7 supplies current to the load after inductor L2
discharges. When transistor Q4 turns off V.sub.L2=V.sub.O-V.sub.IN.
The operating frequency is controlled by a feedback loop that
samples the output voltage. The output voltage is sampled through a
potentiometer P2. Potentiometer P2 acts as a voltage divider. By
adjusting potentiometer P2, the output voltage can be adjusted from
input voltage to V.sub.out=V.sub.ref*(P2.sub.R2/P2.sub.R1+1), where
P2.sub.R1 and P2.sub.R2 equal the resistance of P2 and V.sub.ref
equals 1.5V. Capacitor C6 is used to supply IC 2 with a reference
voltage.
[0047] The current sense resistors R2 and R3 set the maximum output
current,
1 R 2 + 1 R 3 = 0.075 V * V in V out * I out ##EQU00003##
where R2 and R3 are equal to the current sense resistors, V.sub.in
is equal to the input voltage, V.sub.out is equal to the output
voltage and I.sub.out is equal to the maximum output current.
[0048] The current sense resistor R1 sets the maximum output
current. When voltage is applied to the gate of transistor Q3,
diode D6 slowly drains capacitor C4. The size of capacitor C4
determines the length of time that transistor Q3 remains turned on.
Also when switch S5 is opened, diode D6 drains the gate of
transistor Q3 to provide for a means of shutting transistor Q3
off.
[0049] Initially, when voltage is applied to the gate of transistor
Q3, the step-up converter does not boost the voltage above the
supply voltage when the supply voltage of the battery is at or
above the nominal open circuit voltage of the battery. By turning
the switching ring to position 2 or 4 then back to position 3, this
allows the DC-DC step-up circuit to boost the output voltage to the
preset voltage as determined by potentiometer P2. This scheme
provides the means to allow for two output settings built into one
circuit.
[0050] When the supply voltage is below the nominal open circuit
voltage of the battery the circuit boosts the output voltage to 90%
of the high setting of the boost circuit.
[0051] When the magnet is moved to position four, switches S3 and
S5 are closed while switches S1, S2, and S4 are open. This allows
for both the LED and spot bulb circuit to operate simultaneously.
The LED circuit operates with the feedback circuit disabled and the
spot bulb circuit operates at the high setting.
[0052] In one embodiment, all of the components for the circuits
are plugged into the PC board. This allows for customization of the
circuit easily to accommodate for a variety of light outputs
desired. The light output can be changed both in intensity, by
adding additional LED's, or wavelength of emitted light, by
changing LED types. The light can accommodate any wavelength LED
from infrared to ultra violet.
[0053] In one embodiment, a color balanced LED array is used. For
example, one color-balanced LED array can include yellow LEDs
amongst a set of white LEDs to produce a color-balanced light
output. This color balanced light output has been shown to produce
better depth perception and clarity to a user. As would be
appreciated, the value of a color balanced light output would be
felt in any appropriate lighting application, whether or not a
portable light was required.
[0054] In general, there are two problems that arise from the use
of a LED array. First the power must be distributed evenly to each
LED in the array. Conventional designs run parallel strings of
LED's, which are in series. The problem with this scheme is that
the LED's in the middle of the array tend to heat up and their
resistance drops, thereby causing more current to flow through that
particular LED string. Second, the LED wavelength type is fixed.
This means that the user would have to custom order a particular
LED combination or try and unsolder the LED's and replace them with
the combination that suits their needs. Two problems arise from the
user trying to replace the fixed LED's. First, the LED's need to be
soldered, which can over heat and damage the LED. Second, the load
must be balanced between the parallel LED strings.
[0055] Current light designs also try to add a spot bulb to
overcome the LED's inability to project a concentrated beam of
light any reasonable distance. Two solutions have been proposed to
overcome this problem. First, the spot bulb is mounted to the side
of the LED array. This causes the light pattern from the spot bulb
to be offset from the LED array. Second, the LED's are embedded
into the reflector of the spot bulb. This causes the light pattern
from the spot bulb to be diffused.
[0056] In addition to the light-pattern problem, the spot bulb of
conventional designs do not have any power management scheme. This
means that the spot bulb runs directly from the input supply. Two
problems arise from this scheme. First, the light output decreases
as the battery voltage decreases. Second, the light output is
limited to a maximum output due to the battery's fixed maximum
voltage.
[0057] To solve some of the above problems circular PC board 234
has been provided that includes sockets that are wired in series
around the circumference of a parabolic reflector 254 used for the
spot bulb. With this arrangement, the user can easily change the
LED's to suit the wavelength requirement. All that is needed to
accomplish this task is to plug in the desired LED into the socket.
There is no need to balance the load because the LED's are wired in
series, thereby ensuring that there is equal current supplied to
each LED. Additionally, the LED's light pattern is concentric with
the spot bulb. Finally, since the LED's do not interfere with
parabolic reflector 254, the light pattern from the spot bulb is
not compromised.
[0058] To solve the problem associated with a fixed maximum voltage
supplying the spot bulb, the circuit of FIGS. 8A and 8B include a
DC-DC switching power supply powering the spot bulb. This allows
for the spot bulb to operate at the battery voltage and at a
voltage above the supply voltage. The user can then select the
voltage setting above the supply voltage. This allows for a custom
light output for the spot bulb.
[0059] In one embodiment, as an alternative to a spot bulb, an
additional LED array can be directly plugged into the spot bulb
socket. The only adjustment that is needed is for the output
voltage to be increased sufficiently to power the additional LED
array.
[0060] To solve the problem of a fixed input to the switching power
supply the inductor is plugged into a socket in the circuit board.
By changing the inductor size, the user can select the voltage of
the battery that will be used to operate the light. By selecting
the input the user can then select the type of battery that will
suit the users requirements.
[0061] In addition to the portable light uses described above, the
non-invasive switch mechanism can also be applied in other contexts
where a simple switch user interface is required or where the
sealed nature of the switch is required.
[0062] FIG. 9 illustrates one example of an alternative use in the
fluid or gas containment area. As illustrated, switching ring 910
can be coupled to a housing portion 920 that is exposed to a fluid
or gas substance that must be contained. Housing portion 920 can be
designed to house electronics or other measurement circuitry that,
for example, can be designed to measure characteristics of the
substance in pipe 930 or a rate of movement of the substance in
pipe 930. Using a switch mechanism of the present invention,
control signals can be sent to electronics or other control
apparatus within housing 920 without risking a breach of
containment of pipe 930.
[0063] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an
application within this area. As illustrated, switching ring can be
designed to surround pipe 1020 to thereby control measurement
apparatus within pipe 1020. In one example, this measurement
apparatus could be used to directly measure the flow of a liquid
within pipe 1020.
[0064] As would be appreciated, the principles of the present
invention can be applied in a variety of contexts and in a variety
of use situations. Indeed, the intended application will dictate
the need to incorporate one or more of the features described
above. For example, if the lighting system is not designed to be
portable, a sealed housing may not be required. Rather, the simple
user interface and color balanced LED feature may be sufficient for
that application.
[0065] Although the above description may contain specific details,
they should not be construed as limiting the claims in any way.
Other configurations of the described embodiments of the invention
are part of the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the appended
claims and their legal equivalents only should define the
invention, rather than any specific examples given.
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